PANJIM: In the whole saga, where the poor family was trying to get a permanent power connection for their house, at least the power dept was honest enough to admit that Rs 30,000 was paid to them by Raghoba and admitted their delay in installing the electricity poles.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant raised questions in the Goa assembly on Monday during Zero hour and hinted about encroachment on Forest land. If the house was illegal, why was Rs 30,000 taken and why did it take 7 years to give the power supply?
The Assistant Engineer Sanjiv Mashelkar also explained how the calculation of Rs 30,000 was done. He said, “In 2016, Raghobo had paid extension charges. The government gives the first 30 metres of wire free. His connection has to be brought from 580 metres from the LT line. So for 550 we multiplied by Rs 50 were the charges. We give the poles free. Today it is very difficult to bring the poles. But I will make arrangement and get it.”
When asked by the reporter whether it should have taken 7 years for this work, Mashelkar replied, “It shouldn’t have taken 7 years. But I don’t know the reason. I have joined the subdivision just one month ago. I will resolve Raghoba’s issue as soon as possible.”
Raghoba Gaonkar’s family are Goans, even if the ownership of their land was questionable, why did the Electricity dept take Rs 30,000 from them and why did it take 8 years for them to give the connection? At least the Assistant Engineer agreed that money was paid in 2016 and there was a delay on their part. Even though Raghoba and his family are Goans, they are suffering for 7 years without a foolproof power connections, but in many cases illegal houses of migrants are given water and power connections by politicians, since they from vote banks at the time of elections.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant raised questions in the Goa assembly on Monday during Zero hour and hinted about encroachment on Forest land. If the house was illegal, why was Rs 30,000 taken and why did it take 7 years to give the power supply?
The Assistant Engineer Sanjiv Mashelkar also explained how the calculation of Rs 30,000 was done. He said, “In 2016, Raghobo had paid extension charges. The government gives the first 30 metres of wire free. His connection has to be brought from 580 metres from the LT line. So for 550 we multiplied by Rs 50 were the charges. We give the poles free. Today it is very difficult to bring the poles. But I will make arrangement and get it.”
When asked by the reporter whether it should have taken 7 years for this work, Mashelkar replied, “It shouldn’t have taken 7 years. But I don’t know the reason. I have joined the subdivision just one month ago. I will resolve Raghoba’s issue as soon as possible.”
Raghoba Gaonkar’s family are Goans, even if the ownership of their land was questionable, why did the Electricity dept take Rs 30,000 from them and why did it take 8 years for them to give the connection? At least the Assistant Engineer agreed that money was paid in 2016 and there was a delay on their part. Even though Raghoba and his family are Goans, they are suffering for 7 years without a foolproof power connections, but in many cases illegal houses of migrants are given water and power connections by politicians, since they from vote banks at the time of elections.
